Engines are an integral part of any layout, and should be checked out when you first bring it home from the hobby shop or get it in the mail from an online dealer. It’s real easy to do and it doesn’t take much time, but checking the engine, besides eye-balling it, is imperative, especially a new one.

What you are looking for is slow, continual running without stops and stutters. You can use the layout you already have, or set up a length of track, making sure it’s straight and on a level surface. Use your DCC or hook a power pack to the end of the track, make sure the wheels of the engine are on the track, and the engine is pointed front-to-back. Turn the power on slow, and watch that the movement runs slowly and smoothly in both directions. Do this also after the engine is picked up and turned around to run from back-to-front. This test can also be tried on curved track.

Awhile back, I was in a hobby shop that had long, straight test tracks for HO and N-Scale. The owner of the shop took a brand new Atlas N-Scale diesel engine out of the box, put it on the test track, and ran it slowly back and forth. He then stopped the engine completely, put a ruler next to the track, and turned up the power about two clicks, just so the engine was on slightly. In a half-hour time, the engine moved forward three-quarters of an inch! I would have bought it immediately if it wasn’t already spoken for, and if I had the money.

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